Wed., 6/18/14 Devotion (Isa. 50:2b)

Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 50:2b, where we read these words:

" . . . Is My hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver? . . . "

How often do we think that our worst struggles *really are* beyond the reach, even of God Himself? If the truth be told, this thought comes to our minds more often than we would like to admit. But in reality, are our trials really too hard for the Lord? They are not. We might be asking, "If this is the case, then why has He not answered my prayers, and relieved me of this (or that) bur-den?"

This is a good question. We cannot know the answer (absolutely)--only God does. But, it is certain that the Lord allows us to continue with particular diffi-culties for our good. Maybe these things pull down our souls, and keep us humble. Maybe they are designed by God to cause us to always have to rely on Christ and His grace. In all cases, God *can* deliver us. He has the power to redeem us.

[Puritan quote of the day: "To suppose a man is justified by his own virtue or obedience derogates [takes away from] the honor of the Mediator
[Christ] . . . " --Jonathan Edwards, in, "Justification by Faith Alone"]